APOD 3.2

This cosmic cloud, shaped like a helmet with wing-like appendages, is commonly referred to as Thor's Helmet. It seems, though, that Thor's Helmet is actually like an interstellar bubble, blown as a wind from the bright, massive star near the bubble's center passes through a molecular cloud. Thor's Helmet, or interstellar gas bubble, is almost 30 light-years across. The central star appears to be a Wolf-Rayet star, meaning it is an extremely hot giant, which is thought to be in a short pre-supernova stage of evolution. Located in the constellation Canis Major, Thor's Helmet, NGC 2359, is almost 15,000 light-years away. This image shows an emerald color, from a strong emission due to oxygen atoms in the glowing gas. It's truly amazing how you can see the shape of helmet, and evem the outline of what could be considered the wings on the helmet. The colors are so vibrant and amazing to see, and it is incredible how this "Helmet" or "interstellar bubble" spans over 30 light-years across.